Skills and Regeneration

Sunday 14th September
Skilling up cities: is the UK up to the job?

Liberal Democrat Conference 2008 - Bournemouth

13:00 - 14:00
Clifton Suite, The Hermitage Hotel, Exeter Road

Three-quarters of UK adults are currently in employment - but too many are not, especially in our biggest cities. One in five people in Birmingham has no qualifications, London has the highest percentage of worklessness in the country, and the downturn is likely to make things worse. What more can government and employers do to skill up the workforce? What role can construction and engineering companies play, as well as retailers and financial services companies? Can new buildings and construction projects really leave a lasting legacy on cities, if local people aren't qualified to fill the jobs they provide? And how can we develop a better city-level approach to tackling worklessness, with tailored and targeted programmes focused around real labour markets?

Speakers and panel: to include Lord Tom McNally (Lib Dem Leader in the House of Lords), Cllr John Shipley (Leader, Newcastle City Council), Neels Kriek (Managing Director, Integrated Solutions, Laing O'Rourke)

Chair: Dermot Finch (Director, Centre for Cities)

For more information about this event, please contact:
Rosamund Taylor or Claire Hibbitt at the Centre for Cities
Tel: 0207 803 4316/ 0207 803 4315

Monday 22nd September
Skilling up cities: is the UK up to the job?

Labour Party Conference 2008 - Manchester

12:45 – 13:45
Manchester Suite, IoD Hub, St Peter's Square, Oxford Street

Three-quarters of UK adults are currently in employment - but too many are not, especially in our biggest cities. One in five people in Birmingham has no qualifications, London has the highest percentage of worklessness in the country, and the downturn is likely to make things worse. What more can government and employers do to skill up the workforce? What role can construction and engineering companies play, as well as retailers and financial services companies? Can new buildings and construction projects really leave a lasting legacy on cities, if local people aren't qualified to fill the jobs they provide? And how can we develop a better city-level approach to tackling worklessness, with tailored and targeted programmes focused around real labour markets?

Speakers and panel: to include Rt Hon John Denham MP (Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills), Lord Peter Smith (Chair AGMA), Alexandra Jones (The Work Foundation), Tony Douglas (Chief Operating Officer, Laing O'Rourke)

Chair: Dermot Finch (Director, Centre for Cities)

For more information about this event, please contact:
Rosamund Taylor or Claire Hibbitt at the Centre for Cities
Tel: 0207 803 4316/15

Tuesday 30th September
Skilling up cities: is the UK up to the job?

Conservative Party Conference 2008 - Birmingham

17:45 – 18:45
Meeting Room 2&3, City Inn, 1 Brunswick Square

Three-quarters of UK adults are currently in employment - but too many are not, especially in our biggest cities. One in five people in Birmingham has no qualifications, London has the highest percentage of worklessness in the country, and the downturn is likely to make things worse. What more can government and employers do to skill up the workforce? What role can construction and engineering companies play, as well as retailers and financial services companies? Can new buildings and construction projects really leave a lasting legacy on cities, if local people aren't qualified to fill the jobs they provide? And how can we develop a better city-level approach to tackling worklessness, with tailored and targeted programmes focused around real labour markets?

Speakers and panel: James Clappison MP (Shadow Employment Minister), Lucy de Groot (Executive Director, IDeA - the Improvement and Development Agency), Cllr Ken Taylor (Leader, Coventry City Council), Tony Douglas, (Chief Operating Officer, Laing O'Rourke). 

Chair: Dermot Finch (Director, Centre for Cities)

For more information about this event, please contact:
Rosamund Taylor or Claire Hibbitt
Tel: 0207 803 4316/15